Pomegranate and peach aromas and flavors. It's a fuller rosé with lots of fruit and flavor. Peach and melon with some orange-peel undertones. Slightly oily. Drink now.

Perfumed yet understated, the 2019 Etna Rosso Contrada Pianodario opens with a pretty mix of dried strawberries, roses and dusty stone. It's texturally deep, with a silken wave of tart wild berry fruits and citrus tones guided by brisk acidity. This finishes lightly structured with a cheek-puckering sour tinge and a bit coy, leaving only hints of mineral-tinged dried cherries to fade gradually.

Double Gold Medal // Best in Class Finalist

Almare Spritz Hugo is a refreshing take on the traditional Italian Spritz. Made from 100% Glera and infused with botanicals of elderflower, lemon and mint, the flavor is pleasingly fruity and fresh with herbal notes.  Serve over ice with a garnish of lemon and mint.

There is a little more savoriness here, showing contained power. Tar and dark minerality. Plenty of forest berries, dried orange peel, frozen grapefruit and raspberries. Very structured and full-bodied, with firm, chewy tannins rendering the bold austere quality to the wine. But at the end, this is focused and taut, with a crunchy, spicy finish full of length. From organically grown grapes. Vegan. Drinkable now if you are willing to embrace austerity, but this should be better from 2027.

Packed with kirsch, the 2020 Barbera D'Alba Vigna Vecchia Scarrone has another gear, noted with lavender and black pepper. On the palate, it has a supple, silky mouthfeel, with blackberry, black cherry, crushed stones, and a floral perfume through the finish, as well as mineral persistence and ripe sweet tannins. Drink 2025-2035.

Kapriol Produced from juniper berries and aromatic herbs such as cardamom, mint and bay leaves. Delicate straw/yellow; aromas of chamomile, lemon zest and pekoe tea. Full bodied with impressive richness on the palate and a dry, herbal finish that is powerful. Enjoy this over the next 5-7 years. 38% alcohol.

A racy red, with high-pitched aromas of tart cherry and rose hip signaling the bracing acidity. Intense, picking up wild herbs, mineral, leather and a smoky note on the palate. Shows excellent balance and length. Best from 2025 through 2042. 

Very ripe, yet discreet and so mineral and punchy, almost like smelling a wet rock. Bone-dry and crisp, yet elegant and textured. Really attractive and subtle with a linear, mineral finish. Delicious now, but will hold, too.